The Premier's Visit

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume V, Issue 1254, 18 February 1905, Page 2

The Premier's Visit

Arrangements for Reception

Last ovcning in tho new Miners' Union Hall a public moating undor tlio auspioos of the Waihi brunch of the Liberal and Labour Foderali'on was held, the principal business being to make arrangements in connection with the forthcoming visit to Waihi of the Premier (the Eight Hon, E, J, Soddon), There wore between 20 and 80 proscnt. Tho prosidont of tho brunch, Mr D. Donaldson, oooupiod the chair,

In opening the meeting the Chairman explained that the executive of thn branch hod not called a meeting before owing to there being nothing unusual to bring beforo members, but now that they woro promijed a visit from tho head of the Federation they had thought it advisable to consult with members as to what form of welcome should be accorded him. The intention of the League was in no way to monopolise tho reooption given to Mr, Seddon, Thoy had no objoctiou to assisting in any othar (orm ot public reception, Still, it was felt that the, League was oalled upon to make some special recognition of tho visit. Tho Executive, having considered the question thoroughly, had hit upon the idea of having a sooial, as being the means likoly to accomplish tho most good, At a social it would be possible to have the ladies present. This, he thought, would bo appreciated by the Premier. It was unfortunate that they were not aware of tho exact dato of tho visit, but as their pinna might requiro souio litile time to mature, thoro could to no harm in oommenoing to work right away. He regretted that tho attendauco was not somewhat larger, but still ho hoped that a genuine effort would bo mado to advance tho Liberal oause, To put matters into proper ardor, ho moved that tho Leaguo's welcome take tho form of a social, tho changes for admission to bo for gcntlemon and la for ladies, Mr J. Foster seconded tho motion, He said the Premier had been surfeitod with banquets and tho like. Thero was a groat advantage to be dorived from having tho ladies presont, Tho charge proposed was reasonable, and would bring tho function within Ihe roach of all. In addition to tho social it had been suggested that tho Premier be asked to address a public meeting upon politics generally. Of course, all tho arrangements thoy mado woro contingent upon tho Premier's programme fitting in. Mr .1. E, Slevin suppovtod tho motion and endorsod the remarks of tho previous spoakorn. Ho said it was a pity that ladies woro debarred from most gatherings of this kind, and he thought it was a step in the right direction to have thorn present, Mr. T. KcoliaD, chairman of the WaiItino branch of tho Federation, said his branch would do all that thqy could to make tho reception a success. The motion that tho weloomo tnko tho .'form of a social was put and carried unanimously, . It was decided to ask the Mayoress to eppveno (t'meeting of ladies to work up 'tiio arrangements in connection with the social. The executive of tho branch was appointed a reception committoe, with power to add to their number. The chairman said it was intended to leave the fixing of time for the presenting of tho charter in the hands of the Premier, Mr Fo9tor brought up tho imattor of giving tho visitor some sort of reception immediately upon his arrival, and moved that tho oommitteo endeavour to malto .arrangements with tho Federal Band, oic., for a public welcome ..upon arrival. Ho said that unfortunate 1 ' things had {[one forth with reference 1 t,tf the feelings Waihi ontorUined' towards tjie Premier, and ho thought it would be inogt fitting tohavo a woloomo such as suggested; Mr. 'Stovin- seconded. Ho said thoy could show in this/way that tho peoplo of Waihi had some appreciation of Mr. Seddon's services to Waihi and tho working classes everywhere, , Tho motion'''was carried, it being also decided to ask tho sohool cadots to participate in tho reception, It was agreed to have another mooting boforo the date of the Premier's visit, tiio mombevs in tho meantime to consider what subjects they' would liko to lay buforo Mr, Seddon. Mr, Foster moved and tho chairman seconded, that a hearty vote of thanks be accordod to the Daily Tulegraph foe its recent editorial upon the subject of the forthcoming visit. Tho motion was unauimously carried. Votes of thanks to tho Chairman and to the Miners Union for the use of the hall concluded the businoss,